Massive explosion shakes Lebanon's capital Beirut

[Peter1469]

Not a terrorist attack?

Probably not. Israel could have blown it, but they are denying it.

It was probably being stored to be used in the next war with Israel by Hezbollah.

[Peter1469]

[Peter1469]

The Sun is reporting that a welder may have ignited the blast. Who would weld that close to explosive chemicals?

THE massive explosion which killed at least 100 people and left 4,000 injured in Lebanon's capital Beirut is feared to have been started by a reckless welder.

[Peter1469]

Update: 300,000 people's homes destroyed. Half the city's population have homes that are unlivable until repairs are made. 90% of the hotels were damaged. And the best bar district was f'ed up.

[Peter1469]

This is even worse than I thought and for all of Lebanon not just Beirut. The portions of the port that were destroyed service the bulk cargo vessels that import food to the nation. As an example of the issues:

• Food imports make up roughly one-fifth of total imports in Lebanon, and 60 percent of all Lebanese imports come through the port of Beirut.
• The blast destroyed major grain silos containing 85 percent of Lebanon's cereal imports (such as wheat and rice). According to an Aug. 5 Reuters report, the country's economy minister warned Lebanon now only has a month left of grain reserves.

A lot of anger is directed against the government since we know the fertilizer was there for 6 years, the government knew it was there, and the government knew it was not stored safely.

But Lebanon will most likely get lots of short term international public and private assistance over this disaster. Hopefully they use it wisely.

And

Even if Hezbollah had nothing to do with Tuesday's explosion, the incident will also intensify existing calls for the Iran-backed militant group to remove any dangerous munitions and explosives from residential areas in Lebanon.

Link. Stratfor.

[carolina73]

This is even worse than I thought and for all of Lebanon not just Beirut. The portions of the port that were destroyed service the bulk cargo vessels that import food to the nation. As an example of the issues:



A lot of anger is directed against the government since we know the fertilizer was there for 6 years, the government knew it was there, and the government knew it was not stored safely.

But Lebanon will most likely get lots of short term international public and private assistance over this disaster. Hopefully they use it wisely.

And



Link. Stratfor.

I guess my mind only thinks one way but why would anyone have a 6 year storage of a raw material. Why would they buy it to store it for such a long period of time if it were meant to be used as fertilizer? They would use it every year. Sitting on it makes no sense.

[Peter1469]

I guess my mind only thinks one way but why would anyone have a 6 year storage of a raw material. Why would they buy it to store it for such a long period of time if it were meant to be used as fertilizer? They would use it every year. Sitting on it makes no sense.

I could see Hezbollah sitting on it to use for IEDs in the next war with Israel. But that does not, so far, seem to be the case. The material was seized from a Russia ship 6 years ago, and the stuff just stored there.

[Peter1469]

At least one American killed, several injured in Beirut blast

Some rich ex-pats live there- high on the hog - cream of the top.

Some mercs looking for work.

Import export types.

[Peter1469]

Update:

Beirut death toll tops 150; Hezbollah leader warns against blaming Shiite militia amid political fallout

Breaking News: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warns Lebanon against blaming powerful Shiite militia for Beirut explosion


Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Friday that 154 people were killed in the explosions

And 120 still in critical condition.

[Peter1469]

Riots in the Rubble: Beirut Explodes in Violence, Protesters Gassed After Deadly Blast

This event could cause the government to collapse. Just wait for the food to run out.

Anguish has turned to anger in the Lebanese capital with police using tear gas on protesters out on the streets to demand transparency over deadly port explosion.